Danny Elfman's Serenada Schizophrana Sound Clips available

Several lengthy sounclips are available from composer DANNY ELFMAN'S latest release SERENADA SCHIZOPHRANA are now available online.


Check the clips here!

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The First Composer to Get it Right

Sometimes good things come in threes.

I got to watch the presentation of ABC’s two-part movie, The Path to 9/11, which aired on September 10 and 11 (and is now available online for those who missed it). The docudrama begins with the terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 and ends with the September 11 attacks. I’ll admit, there are elements of what I would consider uncalled-for artistic license. It also took me a while to get used to the camerawork, which is dominated by almost continual handheld close ups. Nevertheless, the overall aesthetic value of the film is commendable, drawing the viewer into the complex and compelling events that led to the 9/11 attacks.

What I consider most outstanding, next to the superb acting, is the original score by John Cameron (To End All Wars)—even though it is sparingly used. The composer’s website explains the filmmakers’ approach: “due to the enormous emotive message of the narrative, the music should never pre-empt emotion, but reflect it, and that the score should always emerge naturally from the action.” Much of what is used is source music, “some [of it] ‘found’, some newly composed, from Islamabad to Nairobi, New York to the Philippines.”

What makes the score noteworthy, though, is Cameron’s main theme. Heard first during the opening credits, it seems deceptively unimpressive. The raw emotional power of the theme isn’t fully affecting until it is wed with the haunting images of the film’s final act. The unsettling piano progression, accompanied by a mournful violin (somewhat reminiscent of Schindler’s List), accents the film’s climax in an appropriately heartrending way. With all due respect (and there is much of it) to composers John Powell (United 93) and Craig Armstrong (World Trade Center), I think this score is the most effective yet in portraying the tragic developments of September 11.

Danny Elfman on radio, Wed., 9/27

Composer DANNY ELFMAN to be interviewed on SEPTEMBER 27, 2006 on WNYC in New York.

He will speak with host John Schaefer about his new live concert album, Serenada Schizophrana, which is his first orchestral composition written specifically for a concert hall, while also discussing his other current projects and future plans.

WNYC is the affiliate of National Public Radio that serves New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut. It is America’s most listened to public radio station. The show has featured world-famous musicians such as Norah Jones, Lou Reed, David Byrne, and Franz Ferdinand.

The show airs every day at 2:00 PM on 93.9 FM or at 3:00 PM on XM satellite radio.

You can also tune in live online at http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck.

SPY HUNTER®: NOWHERE TO RUN Press Release and Soundclip

Press Release

CRIS VELASCO & SASCHA DIKICIYAN SCORE FOR SPY HUNTER®: NOWHERE TO RUN(TM) TITLE FEATURING DWAYNE "THE ROCK" JOHNSON

Cris Velasco and Sascha Dikiciyan have been tapped by Midway Games, a leading interactive entertainment industry publisher and developer, to compose the theme song and 20 minutes of original music for the highly anticipated game Spy Hunter®: Nowhere to Run(TM) starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, which is scheduled to hit store shelves on September 5th for the PlayStation®2 and Xbox®.

"Cris and Sascha have written incredible tracks for this title," says Alexander Brandon, Audio Director of Midway Games. "Spy Hunter has always had a very memorable theme, and these two have not only carried on that tradition, but given a new, gritty, hard edge to Nowhere to Run that matches and enhances the gameplay."

The music of Velasco and Dikiciyan has been featured in titles such as Dark Messiah, Battlezone, Hellgate: London, and Splinter Cell 4: Double Agent. In addition, their music was recently released on the Associated Production Music (APM) Endgame Music Library, a collection of original music cues created by many of the most successful video game music composers in the electronic gaming industry.


To hear a clip of the main theme for Spy Hunter®: Nowhere to Run(TM), please go to http://www.sonicmayhem.com/shpromo/spyhunter_theme.mp3


About Cris Velasco & Sascha Dikiciyan:

Cris Velasco and Sascha Dikiciyan's unique fusion of cinematic orchestra and cutting-edge electronica has made them a tour de force in the video game industry. With 12 game titles for release in 2006 alone, the two have garnered critical acclaim for their versatility and fearlessness of pushing the boundaries of music - whether it's composing an elegant string arrangement, dramatic orchestral score, hard-hitting rock tracks, or raw electronic beats.

About Spy Hunter®: Nowhere to Run(TM) Spy Hunter®:

Nowhere to Run(TM) takes the Spy Hunter franchise where it's never gone before-on foot. Featuring Hollywood heavyweight Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as government super-spy extraordinaire Alex Decker, players for the first time ever can step out of the Interceptor and straight into third-person action, utilizing The Rock's physical prowess to take down enemies with intense melee combat moves. In Nowhere to Run, the evil NOSTRA corporation returns, this time with a plan to steal the latest government technology including the world's most sophisticated spy vehicle, the Interceptor, and it's up to Alex to stop them.

John Williams' Sunday Night Football Theme

John Williams' much talked about theme for NBC's return to the NFL, SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, has just been made available for download.

The theme has a strong militaristic style, evoking more thoughts of "droid armies" than "olympic gold." Still, NBC should be honored to have the talents of Williams grace their return to the NFL.

"It has been great fun and a rare privilege to have been asked to contribute music for NBC's broadcast of one of our country's greatest traditions – football!" said Williams. "The outstanding athletes that play this game are similar to our great musicians in that they all require complete dedication and rigorous daily practice to stay sharp. I can also say that the members of our orchestra are all avid football fans and they were very excited when, on the day we recorded this music, we were visited by Al Michaels. "

Download and listen to the theme it here.

You can read the full press release here.

Triple Caption Contest!

Ever have trouble coming up with a good entry for our Caption Contest? Well, welcome to "easy days" with the launch of Tracksounds' first TRIPLE CAPTION CONTEST!

Right now you can enter up to THREE simultaneous contests! You could win one, two or even ALL THREE (if you're really good) of the following upcoming soundtracks from Varese Sarabande:


GRIDIRON GANG by Trevor Rabin
LOST SEASON 2 by Michael Giacchino
ALL THE KING'S MEN by James Horner


ENTER THE CONTESTS HERE!